1861 $1 PR64 NGC. The listed proof mintage of this Civil ...

Description

Nicely Toned, Near-Gem Proof 1861 Seated Dollar

1861 $1 PR64 NGC. The listed proof mintage of this Civil War
era date is 1,000 pieces, but at least 600 of those went unsold and
were later melted. That, combined with the scarcity of better grade
1861 business strikes, puts strong date pressure on the few hundred
surviving proof specimens, many of which have been spent, harshly
cleaned, or otherwise impaired. This piece is deeply reflective and
the devices have a moderate amount of frost which results in a
pleasing, if mild field-to-device contrast. A few light hairlines
account for the grade, these apparently the result of a wiping from
many years (perhaps generations) ago. The magenta-golden toning is
accented with a bit of peripheral blue color. Population: 19 in 64,
9 finer (11/03). (#7004) (Registry
values: N4625) (NGC ID# 252F, PCGS# 7004)